HOLY NAME OF MARY
APRIL/MAY 2021 UPDATE
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As we find ourselves back in the reality of virtual learning, please know that we remain available for any concerns you might have. Teachers have worked diligently to provide a combination of synchronous and a-synchronous learning in order to meet the needs of all of our students. Although virtual learning certainly presents challenges, we are very fortunate for the dedication of all of our HNOM staff.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to teachers or front office staff if there is anything you might need. Telephone messages are retrieved throughout the school day or you can email the office at holynamemary.almonte@cdsbeo.on.ca.
We hope to be back to in-person learning as soon as possible. Until then I hope you are able to enjoy the nice weather coming our way.
Stay safe.
Yours in Catholic Education,
Caroline LaBelle
DAILY ATTENDANCE CHECK IN
We ask that students log in at the assigned times as joining the meeting late is disruptive to the class already in progress. In some cases, the teacher may be required to repeat information already discussed which will slow the progress of the lesson. Should your child be unavailable at these times, please contact their Teacher by email or TEAMS chat in advance to inform them.
BORROWED DEVICES
If you require a device/internet stick or are experiencing problems with the device that has been loaned to you, please contact Caroline LaBelle at caroline.labelle@cdsbeo.on.ca
Once in-school learning resumes, we will make arrangements for all devices borrowed during the school closure to be returned.
GRAD PHOTOS DELAYED
Our Grade 8 students were scheduled to have their Grad Photos taken with PhotoVisions on April 29th, however, with the implementation of the current learning from home, we have had to postpone this event. We will re-schedule and will inform parents and students of the new date as well as the protocols that will be in place to ensure the safety of students and staff.
GR. 7 & 8 IMMUNIZATIONS UPDATE
FOOD ORDERS - MILK, PIZZA & SUBS
The implementation of the stay at home requirement affects the food orders placed by families for the period of April 6th to May 28th. At this time, as we did with the last food order period, we plan to move the orders up by the number of weeks students are required to learn from home. As the current food orders extend to the end of May, we will be able to shift the orders placed into the month of June.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Our next Catholic School Council meeting will be on Tuesday, April 27th at 6:00 p.m. This will be a virtual meeting. All parents/guardians are invited to attend. If you wish to take part in the meeting, please e-mail Caroline LaBelle no later than Monday, April 26th by 2:00 p.m. to receive a link to attend the TEAMS School Council meeting.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK
Catholic Education Week 2021 begins on Sunday, May 2, 2021. The Catholic schools in our parish will engage in a series of events to celebrate the ongoing gift of publicly-funded Catholic education. Publicly funded Catholic education has existed in Ontario since 1841 and its graduates have served Ontario and Canada very well. The current generation of students in our publicly funded Catholic schools will serve with the same spirit and generosity as their previous generations.
This year’s Catholic Education Week theme is “Nurturing Hope.”
The theme for Catholic Education Week 2021 was inspired by the following considerations:
Recognition of the special Year of Laudato Si’ which will run through May 24, 2021, announced by Pope Francis on May 24, 2020, the fifth anniversary of his papal encyclical, “On Caring for Our Common Home.”
In the face of the ongoing reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, a strong desire by the planning committee, along with those consulted, and supported by feedback from the survey, for continuity with the theme for Catholic Education Week 2020, Igniting Hope, which has served so well during the spring recess from in-school instruction.
The challenges to personal and spiritual well-being posed by the uncertainty and physical isolation of the current global crisis makes the timing and the concerns of Mental Health Week, which takes place during the same week as Catholic Education Week, all the more relevant.
Ongoing recognition of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission and the relevance of Indigenous culture and spirituality to the spirit of Laudato Si'.
Our Catholic Education Week Mass, celebrated live by Cardinal Collins, will be held during this week and will be made available to us through Teams. More information will follow.
REGISTRATION
Holy Name of Mary School is currently accepting registrations for the 2021/2022 school year. If you have a child who will be 4 years old by December 31, 2021 and you would like to enroll them in Kindergarten, please visit our school website www.hnom.cdsbeo.on.ca for information on registering your child on-line.
If you know of families in the area with children of Kindergarten age, please encourage them to visit our website for registration information.
SCHOOL WEBSITE & FACEBOOK
A reminder to check our school website to view monthly calendars detailing upcoming events and activities; access school newsletters along with forms and letters pertaining to events at the School in addition to information on our Parish, Catholic School Council and School Cash Online.